Crime & Safety
Arrest Made After Man Fatally Stabbed While Trying To Steal Wheels: Nassau Police
A man was arrested after police said he fatally stabbed one of three people who were trying to steal wheels and rims off his SUV in Nassau.
BELLEROSE VILLAGE, NY — A Bellerose Village man has been arrested and faces a manslaughter charge after police said he fatally stabbed one of three people who were trying to steal wheel rims and tires off his SUV.
Jacob Alvarenga Mejia, 28, was at his Jericho Turnpike home around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, when he saw three males trying to steal the rims and tires from his parked 2023 Toyota Highlander, Nassau County police said.
Mejia walked outside with a large kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed one of the men, identified by police as Luis Pena, 22, of the Bronx, in his upper torso, police said.
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The trio ran, and Pena was taken to a hospital in New York City by the other two males, where he died.
Police arrested Mejia on Thursday without incident. He faces charges of first-degree manslaughter charge and first-degree assault, and was expected to appear in Hempstead district court Friday.
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